Alarm attachment for clocks



Oct. 2, 1928.

G. J. DIETRICH ALARM ATTACHMENT FOR CLOCKS Filed Sept. 20. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO R N EY WITNES ALARM ATTACHMENT FOR CLOCKS Filed Sept. 20, 1926 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,6 HIIIL1\' 25 l l I [7 II is l I;

INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNEHS: M

25 partin Patented Oct. 2, 1928. I

T, OFFICE,

gamma J. intention, or isnanntonr, TEXAS.

i ALAnmAT'rAoHMENTron .cnocxs.

' Applicationflleklseptember 20,1926. Serial 1%. 136,631,

'The object'of this invention is to provide "anattachment by whichan ordinary clock may be converted into'an "alarm clock, the alarm mechanism tobe installed in any suitable place, that is, either in the clock case,

or atxsome more or less remote point, as in another room 0! a building.

A further ob'ect is to provide in connection with the ial of a clock, one or more annular channeled elements to be carried by the dial and insulated therefrom, the channel element or elements being adapted to carry movable contact elements for engagement by the hand or hands of a clock. A further object'is to provide a contact element of a particular type, for cooperation with the hands of the clock and with the channeled annular elements. i With the foregoing and otherobjects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of elements described, illustrated and claimed, it being understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the claim without defrom the spirit ofthe invention. In t e drawings forming part of this application, I g

Figure 1 is a view inelevation, of a clock of ordinary type, a portion of the lower door being broken away to show the alarm I mechanism, such as a bell or a buzzer and the battery for operating the alarm.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1. i

' Figure 31is a section thru the dial, showing the channel element mounted thereon,

and the means for effecting electrical con- 7 nection with the contact device to be carried by said channeland for cooperation with 0" one of the hands of the clock. 1 i

' Figure 4 is a perspective View of one of the movable contact elements.

Figure 5 is a detail view showing oppositely located foot portions of the ele ment of Figure 4.' I

A clockcase 10 has mounted in the lower portion thereof a battery 11, and an alarm device, such as a bell or buzzer, the hell being designated 12 and having connection with the battery'by means of wire 13, the other terminal of the battery leading to one ofthe elements of the contact 'meclianism, an'dthe other terminal of the bell having connected therewith a wire leading to another contact device to be carried "by the dialolf the clock. 7 i I The dial 14 carries on the frontface there "(if an annular channeled element 15, the

flanges of the channel being turned inwardly and toward each other as illustrated especially in Figure 8. This channel 15 is mounted on an annular element 16 of insulation, and a pin 17 connect the web of the channel with the dial, by means of the arrangement shown in Figure 3,a second annular element of insulation being designated 18, and pin 17 passing therethrough and thru a nut or clamping element 19 and a nut 20 adapted to retain wire 21 leading to one terminal of the magnet assumed to form a partof the bell or buzzer. Pin 17 is ofcourse threaded at its end as indicated at 17', and a washer or the like 22 serves an obvious purpose in assembling the elements and completin the insulation as well as the mounting of cliannel 15.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 2 thechannel adj aceIit to the outer portion of the dial has connection with wire 21, and another channel 25 is concentric with reference to the channel first named and has connection with wire 26 leading to battery 11 of Figure 1.

The hands of the clock, designated 27 and 28 are mounted on the concentric axial elements driven by gear wheels 29 and 80, it being deemed unnecessary to show other portions of the clock-work mechanism.

The hour hand 27 and the minute hand 28 of the clock are adapted to have electrical contact, at the time at which the alarm is to be sounded, with a contact element of the t pe shown in Figure 4, it being assumed tiiat both of these elements have been set, so that the circuit will be thru both hands of the clock, and both contact elements, as in Figure 1. It is obvious that a contact element may be used for one hand only, such as the hour hand, and approximate results will be obtained, or quite accurate results, if it is desired to have the alarm sounded on the hour, as for instance six oclock or seven oclock. In order to carry out the single contact plan, so far as the dial and the movable contacts are concerned, it is only necessary to make suitable ground connections thru wire 21 or wire 26.

In connection with the particular contact of Figure 4, it will be observed that the plate 33 has deflected end portions 34 and 35, so that the hand will gradually and then firmly engage the contact device. Moreover, the finger comprising portions 33, 34; and 35 is resilient, and is mounted on a device including side portions 36 and 37, these elements carrying foot portions 36 and 37' adapted to engage the channel of element 15 or element 25, as the case may be.

At the other end of the contact device of Figure a is a transverse plate 38, serving a purpose similar to the foot members be,- fore referred to. A pointer 39 permits of the accurate setting of the device with reference to the hour and minute designations on the dial.

Having described the invention What is claimed is In a device of the class described, an insulated annular channel element having inturned flanges, a movable contact element mounted in the channel and adapted for cooperation with an element movable in a circular path, said contact element comprising a plurality of arms, foot members carried by the arms and engaging the flanges of the channel element, and a resilient element connected with the arms, the resilient element being free at one end thereof and being downwardly deflected, and one of the arms including a laterally extending pointer.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GILBERT J. DIETRICH. 

